Is a local demolition derby truly equivalent to NASCAR, as the truck above would suggest? While this may be a question best left to philosophers, perhaps the answers will be found this Friday, Aug. 10 at the Barrhead Agricultural Society’s 27th annual Demolition Derby, which gets underway at about 6 p.m. Photo credit: File Photo

Demolition derby crashes into Barrhead on Friday, Aug. 10

‘Biggest event in Barrhead’ set to draw huge crowds to rodeo grounds starting at 6 p.m.

The biggest local event of the entire summer — the Barrhead Agricultural Society’s annual Demolition Derby — is set to enter its 27th year of metal-crunching action at the rodeo grounds this Friday, Aug. 10.

As anyone who has attended the event can attest, the Barrhead Demolition Derby always pulls in huge crowds.

Brenda Petruchik, who is overseeing the demo derby this year, said there were about 3,000 people watching the event in 2017. Not bad, considering Barrhead itself has less than 5,000 residents.

“It’s the biggest event in Barrhead of the summer,” Petruchik said.

As the demolition derby is effectively the kickoff to Blue Heron Fair Days from Aug. 10-12, entrance to the derby is covered in your fair admission. Gates open at 4 p.m. and the derby begins around 6 p.m.

Entries to the demolition derby are limited to 20 cars and 20 trucks. So far, about half of those spaces were filled as of Thursday, but there will probably be more drivers registering this week.

“The deadline for pre-registration isn’t until Tuesday, Aug. 7, and a lot of guys will just wait until then because they got to make sure their car is running. They’ll probably work on it this weekend,” Petruchik said.

Although there are a few out-of-town entries, most drivers hail from Barrhead; Petruchik said there’s always a few standbys who enter every year, including her husband.

“There will be a lot of truck drivers from Barrhead. There’s lots of trucks here,” she said.

Drivers compete in heats and the survivors from each heat go on to a final championship round. The purse for first to fourth place ranges from $2,500 to $300, with additional cash for winning a heat.

As well, anyone whose vehicle is still driveable can enter a grudge match at the very end for $500 and a trophy.

When asked what her husband and other drivers get out of entering the demolition derby, Petruchik said it was the adrenaline rush.